Accessing UBC Library Information: Key Steps

There is a tremendous wealth of information and knowledge available through the UBC Library System. If you are not a student, it can be harder to find what you are looking because the library system is set-up with students and academic researchers in mind.

Start with this tip sheet

This tip sheet will walk you through three key steps that are important to navigating the UBC Library System:

Step 1:Describing what information/knowledge you are looking for in a way that helps you know where in the UBC Library System to look;

Step 2: Understanding where to go to find this information and in what format do you need it in; and,

Step 3: Knowing what kind of access you can get to what is available if you do not have an official connection with the University (e.g. staff, student or alumni).

The steps are outlined in the tip sheet, but also on this webpage. This webpage includes additional information and resources.

Step 1: What Information Are You Looking for?

Before you begin your search, we recommend you consider the following questions. These will assist you to scope and further define your research question before you start.

Step 1A: Answer these Questions to Start

What do you want to know? What subject or disciplines does your topic fall within? Brainstorm key terms, geographic scope, are you looking for current information or historical or….?

Why do you want to know it?

How will it help? Why is important?

Where and how could you collect that information? What formats do you prefer (print or electronic)? Are you able to come to UBC campus to use library computers to do your research?

Who is responsible for doing this research and is anyone affiliated with UBC assisting you (e.g. students or partners)?

Write down your answers to the above questions by completing the following sentences:

I want to learn about …

Because I want to find out…

In order to understand …

My intended outcome of this research is…

My timeline for doing this research is….

Step 1B: Try Turning Your Curiosity into a Research Question

For students trying to access information from the libraries, developing a research question is one of the best ways to narrow down the possible faculties or disciplines you should explore first for the information and knowledge you are looking for.

We recommend viewing this online tutorial aimed at students and try your hand at framing your own reference question.

STEP 2: Where Do I Find What I’m Looking For?

Information and resources within the UBC Library System are organized by faculties and/or areas of study – whether its journals and databases you can search online or the physical library branches themselves. Spending time with Step 1 will have given you some insight into where to begin your search.

STEP 2A: Start Virtually

The UBC Library catalogue is a good start. By looking there first, you may find materials such as books, journals, and also open educational resources (such as government and policy papers, digitized photos, etc).

Remember to present one piece of government issued photo ID (BC Driver’s License or BCID preferred) and proof of a local address (e.g., bank statement, utility bill, or automobile registration)

I have the Information I’m Looking For, Now What?

Some further next steps:

Here is an online tutorial aimed at students on how to evaluate the quality and appropriateness of the resources and information they have found in the library system:

Here is a YouTube playlist of all the online tutorials for the UBC Library System. There may be something additionally useful here to help you out.

Perhaps there’s an opportunity to engage with UBC students to support making sense of the information you have gathered. Fill out a Project Request Form and describe how you think a student perspective might be valuable and we’ll be in touch.

If you have followed these steps and tips and are able to share with us a list of what you’ve found and give us feedback, we’d love to hear from you. We are always looking to improve the resources we provide as well as hear if there are further ways to support community organizations access the information and knowledge here at UBC.